Pro boxing analysis: Martinez will win war with Chavez Jr.

Two of the most talented Latinos in boxing will face each other Saturday in the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev. — Sergio Martinez and Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. will fight for the WBC middleweight title.

Both fighters have vinegar running through their veins and love to fight, so grab the popcorn early cause this fight will bring action.

Martinez will attempt to regain his belt from Chavez, which was stripped for a flimsy technicality. However, this will give Chavez Jr. a chance to prove he is a bonafide champion after a lot of critics questioned his legitimacy.

I expect to see Martinez, a southpaw, rely on his hand speed, foot movement, and counter ability to create angles for him to break down Chavez.

The Argentinian will bring slick-quick moves into the ring. At times, he will shine like an experienced matador against Chavez’s bullish tactics.

Chavez Jr. brings strength and size. For Martinez to counter this, he will have to be constantly on the move, keeping his hands busy and showing lots of lateral movement to not letting Chavez set up on him.

Martinez will have to use his southpaw stance to his advantage as Chavez has no championship experience against a lefty.

Chavez Jr., who is slender and slick, steps into the ring at 6-feet-0 tall. He will have to capitalize on those physical attributes. He will have to fight Martinez tall and not give away that height and distance.

If Chavez Jr. can control the fight in the early rounds, he will then be able to control the ring. It can only be done if Chavez Jr. uses that long jab to stamp his authority on Martinez’s face. I expect to see Chavez Jr. coming in throwing some powerful lightning-bolts at Martinez’s chin.

Chavez Jr. is also known for his accurate body punches. If he catches Martinez on the ropes, expect Chavez Jr. to start chopping away like a lumberjack on a tree. For Chavez to have any edge on Martinez he will have to use basic textbook counter skills to match up his punches against Martinez.

It’s going to be a war for these two fighters, but someone is going to be collateral damage, and I don’t think it will be Martinez.